Corner Canyon student reportedly suffers blood clots
May 7, 2021, 4:00 PM
FILE: Corner Canyon High School, located in Draper, Utah. Corner Canyon High School students have turned to social media to help raise $150,000 for Utah kids in foster care. (Paul Nelson/KSL NewsRadio)
(Paul Nelson/KSL NewsRadio)
DRAPER, Utah — A student from Corner Canyon High School apparently remains in the hospital with serious blood clots, but KSL NewsRadio cannot confirm social media messages suggesting the student suffered them after receiving the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.
The Salt Lake County Health Department and the Canyons School District confirmed that a vaccination clinic took place at Corner Canyon High School on Wednesday, Apr. 28, 2021. Officials say the clinic only offered the Pfizer vaccine, and only to students 16 and older.
Corner Canyon student fighting blood clots
The student is a member of Corner Canyon’s varsity men’s basketball team, and a Facebook posting apparently from the team’s account offered support from classmates and teammates. Several other postings and comments about the case appear to come from anti-vaccine activists.
KSL could not independently corroborate any connection between the student, the vaccine and the student’s blood clots.
At a news conference held yesterday at University of Utah Healthcare, Doctor Yazan Abou-Ismail was asked about the differences between the Pfizer and Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been linked to the rare occurrence of blood clots in patients, Dr. Abou-Ismail said the two classes of vaccine work very differently.
“The Pfizer and Moderna use the mRNA technology, while the J&J and AstraZeneca use the adenoviral vector. So far, what we’re seeing is that is only occurring with the adenoviral vector vaccines. And what I’m referring to here is this specific syndrome of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia and not blood clots in general,” he said.
Past studies: Higher risk of blood clots from the virus itself
A recent study from Oxford University showed a low incidence of blood clots among those who’ve received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with no indication the vaccines caused the clots. The same study showed a dramatically higher incident of blood clots in patients with active COVID-19 infections.
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
- Obtain a flu shot.
- Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
